I became aware of my choice several years ago. It was time to decide how to spend my life… I had some help in the choice. My husband, Michael was a big part of the decision. Together we came to the conclusion that I should invest my time and energy in staying home to raise and educate our children.
Emily, Isaac and Mackenzie. They are at the top of my list now days. I could have done many other things like work in the private sector, in the education field or in church ministry. His voice was calling and I made the choice.
Now, for the most part it is heavenly. I love my children and I love most of the requirements that come along with being at home full time. But, every once in a while I begin to feel the burden. Typically it happens around the conclusion of a weekend – when I look ahead to the very near-sighted future of the coming week and I wonder, “What in the world has happened? and how did I get here?” Sometimes my questioning becomes fearful, “How will I accomplish what is necessary? What if I mess up?” And worse, there are times where I have a pity party, “What if the outcome is unappreciated? Does anyone notice how hard I work?”
And that is where I found myself last weekend…
I had been a bit under the weather and it took its toll. There was no desire to keep on keeping on. I was dwelling on what it would be like to live a different life. One that didn’t involve my true calling… Pity is never a true friend, it always leads me down the wrong path and then abandons me.
But thenI read it…thoughts from Scripture that I did not want to think about.
Joshua 24:14-15
14 “Now therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD! 15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
This passage of Scripture is taken from the end of a challenge that Joshua made to the Israelites regarding the intentions of their hearts. Joshua makes it absolutely clear what choice he is making. Oh! How I am convicted by these words. Just as he was saying to them that today is the day to declare your intentions, I began to realize this: Every day is my day of decision.
Regularly I am distracted from the reality of my situation. I am called to a holy work by my heavenly Father. That doesn’t mean that someone doing something totally different is not involved in a holy work as well. My occupation is holy because of who is requiring it, not because of what is being done. Folding socks becomes holy when I understand that it is service to my King. I understand that this idea probably sounds ludicrous to some.
But, when I live my life in service to my family, because that is what He requires, I find joy and strength to meet each need in my home. Dirty dishes, heaps of laundry, cooking dinner and cleaning toilets; all find grace to be completed. Looking to Him I find such happiness and peace in knowing I am right where I should be, doing exactly what He is hoping for. There is nothing more satisfying at the end of the day.
So, here it is Monday morning. Today and every day I must make this choice. In living and loving and caring for my family, I choose to serve the Lord.
amen.
My sweet family… I am so blessed!
daily portion 